Connor McDavid returns to the Oilers following an ankle injury; hopefully

After missing three games because of an ankle injury, Connor McDavid finally returned to the Edmonton Oilers lineup on Wednesday.

McDavid was initially out for two to three weeks due to the injury, which happened in the opening minute of the team’s 6-1 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 28.

His comeback was a welcome sight for the Oilers, even though he did not score any points in their 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Despite not having engaged in full-contact practice prior to his return, head coach Kris Knoblauch recognized McDavid’s excellent skating and team integration.

McDavid played 21:02 minutes on a line alongside Jeff Skinner and Zach Hyman upon his return, although with a somewhat reduced workload.

He had two shots on goal and won 8 of 13 face-offs, finishing the game with a minus-1 rating. Knoblauch commented that, while McDavid’s conditioning remained in good shape, they were cautious not to overload him in his first game back.

The team ensured his ice time didn’t exceed what was necessary to avoid any setbacks, keeping him at a manageable level after his absence.

This season, McDavid has already registered 10 points, including three goals and seven assists, in just 11 games. His return is particularly significant as he is now just eight points away from reaching 1,000 career points.

His importance to the team was emphasized by defenseman Brett Kulak, who expressed that McDavid’s unique abilities and leadership bring something no other player in the league can replicate. The Oilers were relieved to have him back, as his presence is crucial to their success on the ice.

In the game against the Golden Knights, McDavid, along with Leon Draisaitl, was effectively contained by Vegas’ defense. Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy discussed their strategy of limiting McDavid’s speed through the neutral zone, which forced him to pass the puck instead of using his explosive skating to create scoring opportunities.

Consequently, both McDavid and Draisaitl were kept off the scoresheet, which is uncommon for the two elite players. McDavid is anticipated to start for the Oilers against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

McDavid’s leadership and importance to the team were emphasized by his teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who referred to him as the “best player in the game” and said that his presence has a significant impact.